The blog covers releases in the areas of free and mainstream jazz, world music, "art" rock, and the blues. Classical coverage, which was originally here, continues on the Gapplegate Classical-Modern Review (see link on this page). Where are we right now and how did we get here? That's the concern.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Leslie Pintchik, In the Nature of Things

Jazz. OK, what is it? One answer was formulated by Fats Waller, I believe, and essentially translated to "Never Mind. Shut up and listen and you'll hear what it is." Now that doesn't satisfy everybody but it nonetheless holds true today as much as ever. I could throw around some definitions but not today, not here.

Better to listen, because that's what the definitions would then imply. If you don't listen closely and repeatedly, no words will help. So what is jazz? One answer is the album today. Pianist-composer Leslie Pintchik and her ensemble put together a new program of music you could profitably hear to help you on your way to a mental construct of "jazz". It's called In the Nature of Things (Pintch Hard 002). We've covered another of hers here if you want to look that up.

Well this is modern jazz, not so much commercial (which to me would be a negative most of the time) as current. Leslie is at the piano, Steve Wilson presides often enough on alto and soprano saxes, Ron Horton brings his trumpet and
flugelhorn, Scott Hardy is on acoustic bass, Michael Sarin on drums, and Satoshi Takeishi on percussion.

They do one standard for the measure and the rest are Pintchik originals. These are well-made. They have chord changes of interest which Leslie and company solo over with skill and finesse. The head melodies are fetching and well-voiced for the ensemble. Leslie has a harmonically rich, rhythmically lively piano style that bears your ear-attention, most definitely.

It is a pleasure, a treat to hear. And you know what? It's like jazz, you dig? As in blow (your horn). It's a good example of the middle-ground today.

About Me

I am a life-long writer, musician, composer and editor. I wrote for Cadence for many years, a periodical covering jazz and improv music. My combined Blogspot blogs (as listed in the links) now cover well over 3,000 recordings in review. It's been a labor of love. The music is chosen because I like it, for the most part, so you won't find a great deal of nastiness here. I have no affiliations and gain nothing from liking what I do, so that makes me somewhat impartial. I do happen to like a set of certain musics done well, so it's not everything released that gets coverage on these blogs. I have thirteen volumes of compositions available on amazon.com. Just type in "Grego Applegate Edwards" to find them. (But one is under "Gregory Applegate Edwards.") I went to music and higher education schools and got degrees. It changed my life and gave me the ability to think and write better. I've studied with master musicians, too. The benefits I gained from them are invaluable. I appreciate my readers. You are why I write these reviews. I hope the joy of music enriches your life like it does mine. Thank you. And thank you to all the artists that make it possible.